For the Pompey midfielder is seeking a band in which to showcase his musical talents.

There are only so many times you can wonder around the pond with my dog Bella in Emsworth! I would be great to join a band again, just for fun

Adam Barton

The 24-year-old has made nine appearances since settling in Emsworth in the summer on a two-year deal from Coventry City.

But away from football, music is a life-long passion inherited from dad, Pete, who has toured with the likes of The Animals, The Boomtown Rats and Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders.

Barton Jnr himself has performed in tribute bands for The Jam and Arctic Monkeys in pubs and clubs around Blackburn, Preston and Manchester.

Now he is eager to get out his drum sticks and join a south coast band to perform with during his spare time.

He said: ‘Back up north, music was where I could kind of forget about football for a few hours, it’s always good to switch off a bit.

‘The band was a big part of enjoying what I do. Thinking about it too much it preys on your mind and gets to you.

‘There are only so many extras you can do after training without injuring yourself, so you can’t really stay at the training ground too long.

‘You don’t really want to be doing weights every single day because you’ve got to have that rest time which is very important as well. So you go home and then have all the time in the world. As a footballer you have a lot of spare time.

‘I don’t know many people down here, my missus has her own business back up north and is always back and forwards, so I have time on my own pottering around.

‘There are only so many times I can wander around the pond with my dog, Bella, in Emsworth! I would be great to join a band again, just for fun.

‘I am a drummer but can also play bass guitar and have set up a little studio at the house to do some recordings.

‘Since I’ve been down I’ve done a little bit of music in my house, recorded a few songs for fun, nothing serious.

‘Although I don’t think any of my team-mates play instruments – I don’t think many in football do!’

Barton’s early Pompey days were hampered by injury, ruling him out of the pre-season programme.

However, he forced his way into Paul Cook’s side in September, making six successive appearances and recently played a key role in the fightback against Wycombe, coming off the bench at half-time as the Blues claimed a 2-2 draw.

And away from the day job, music is so much more than a hobby.

He added: ‘My dad is massive in the business. He’s been in it for 45 years and the music will never go, it has always been around me and always will be.

‘I was in a Jam tribute band and also an Arctic Monkeys one but would play to anything just to get out there.

‘It’s doing that other thing in life which keeps your mind off football for the times when you need to.

‘Music is definitely a release. If it’s not going well in football, your mates can come round and have a bit of a jam and you try to pick yourself back up. That has always been key for me.’

Anyone interested in recruiting Barton for their band can contact Pompey.

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